TL;DR

• Toptal is premium-priced with a rigorous vetting process, while Proxify offers a subscription-based model with AI-driven vetting.
• Toptal offers top-tier developers with hourly rates of $100-$200+, a 14-day free trial, and a $79 monthly subscription fee.
• Proxify provides developers at 55−70/hour with a 7-day free trial and a minimum commitment of 40 hours/month. 
• Proxify’s vetting process uses AI assessments and interviews but may lack human nuance.
• Toptal is praised for developer quality but criticized for high costs and unclear billing. Proxify is appreciated for affordability but faces concerns about matching speed and developer quality.
• Toptal is better for enterprise-level budgets, while Proxify suits those seeking cost-effective, subscription-based hiring.
• ReactSquad is recommended for React.js projects, offering affordable rates ($75/hour), fast matching (under 48 hours), and developers with 5+ years of experience.

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When it comes to hiring freelance developers, the choice between Toptal and Proxify can leave founders and CTOs scratching their heads. Both platforms boast elite talent, but which one delivers the right mix of skill, speed, and value for your unique needs? Spoiler: it’s not always a clear-cut answer.

In this article, we’ll pit Toptal and Proxify head-to-head, dissecting their pros, cons, and key differences. And because no SaaS teams are alike, we’ll explore a third option that might just outshine them both. Let’s get into it.

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About Toptal

Toptal is an online platform that connects businesses with top-tier IT professionals, such as software engineers, data analysts, and other specialists. The platform has a rigorous screening process, accepting only a small fraction of applicants into its exclusive talent network each year. Due to their high level of expertise, Toptal developers charge premium hourly rates, making the service more aligned with the budgets of enterprise-level or larger mid-sized companies.

About Proxify

Proxify is an online marketplace where businesses connect with software engineers and other tech talent. It operates on a subscription-based model where you can hire vetted developers for a fixed monthly fee. Proxify offers a wide range of IT services, including web development, mobile app development, and more.

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How to hire devs from Toptal

1. Click “Hire Top Talent” in the menu bar. Fill out an online form with the skills and expertise you want.  
2. A Toptal director of engineering will discuss your project with you to understand your technical requirements.  
3. Toptal recruiters will match you with a selected developer suited to your project.  
4. Start working with your chosen engineer on a two-week, risk-free trial. If you’re unsatisfied, you can request a replacement at no extra cost.

How to hire devs from Proxify

1. Visit Proxify’s homepage and click “Find a developer” at the top-right corner.
2. Complete the online survey with details about your project. 
3. A technical manager will contact you with a developer who matches your requirements. This can take up to 1 week. 
4. Once you’re pleased, you sign contracts and get started with the dev. 

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A look at Toptal’s vetting process

Here’s how Toptal developers are selected:  

1. Toptal recruiters first assess applicants for English proficiency and soft skills.  

2. Candidates face live coding challenges to test their technical expertise.  

3. Toptal experts conduct live technical interviews to evaluate creativity and problem-solving abilities.  

4. At this stage, candidates are assigned a real-world test project that typically takes around 3 weeks to complete.  

5. Only the top-performing candidates make it into Toptal’s talent pool.

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A look at Proxify’s vetting process

1. Background Checks: Proxify recruiters review candidates’ backgrounds, skills, past projects, and work experience to assess practical expertise and the projects handled.
2. Technical Assessment: Candidates undergo AI-generated technical tests to evaluate their technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills.
3. Interviews: Senior Proxify engineers interview candidates with live coding exercises and real-life scenarios.
4. Successful candidates are added to its talent pool.

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Toptal’s Pricing

Toptal allows developers to set their own rates, normally charging between $100 and $200+ per hour. It also charges an additional $79 monthly subscription to use its platform for talent searching. Toptal used to charge a $500 initial deposit, but it's unclear if this policy still applies today. Toptal’s acceptable payment methods are credit cards, PayPal, ACH, and bank wiring.

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Proxify’s Pricing

Proxify’s pricing calculator gives you an estimate based on the number of devs you want, how many hours weekly they’ll work, and the country you’re based in. We tried it for one developer at 40 hours a week for a US-based client. The quoted figure was $8,800/month or 55/hour. This number is only an estimate and may increase or decrease depending on project complexity, tech stack, and developer’s experience. 

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Toptal User Reviews

Toptal gets mostly good reviews online, and many people are happy with the quality of their developers. But some complain that their services are expensive and that the company isn’t always clear about pricing and billing.

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Proxify User Reviews

Proxify’s reviews on Trustpilot are generally positive with clients liking their affordability. However there are concerns about their matching speed and dev quality. This detailed review by Gust Matthys highlights most users’ concerns with Proxify. 

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Toptal Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large talent pool
• Developers are available in US time zones.
• You can hire for short-term or long-term projects.
• Offers a 14-day free trial
• Its strong vetting process involving coding tests, interviews, and test projects ensures that only quality talent comes through.

Cons

• Developers are expensive.
• You must pay $79 a month for talent searches on the platform.
• Users say there’s a lack of transparency in its free trial policy.

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Proxify Pros & Cons

Pros

• Has a 7-day, no-risk free trial.
• You can manage your project and your team from your dashboard.
• Developers are available in US time zones.

Cons

• Matching can take several days.
• Requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours a month. 
• The whole hiring process takes 2-3 weeks to complete.
• Proxify’s use of AI in its vetting process sometimes leads to inaccurate assessments, as AI vetting lacks the human touch to understand interpersonal dynamics. 

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Toptal and Proxify Side-By-Side Comparison

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What is the best alternative to Toptal and Proxify?

If your project uses React.JS, check out ReactSquad. We’re a platform that connects you with carefully screened React developers. Our hiring process is thorough, including three rounds of interviews and a paid trial project. Our CEO, Jan Hesters, personally handpicks the most skilled candidates to join our team of experts. 

Here’s what our clients love about us:

• Match with a developer in under 48 hours  
• Affordable rates for startups, starting at $75/hour  
• Flexible payment options  
• Every developer has 5+ years of experience with React, Redux, Next.js, Node.js, JavaScript, and more.  

Ready to begin? Book a call with us today!